Shelters



May 5, 1964l w. E. sHlMoN 3,131,704

sHELTERs Filed sept. 18, 1961 2 sheets-sheet 1 INV HV TOR.

o nem- May 5., 1964 E. sr-uMoN4 3,131,704

SHELTERS Filed Sept. 1s, 1961 2 sheets-sheet 2 .sa j?? JNVENTOR.

United States Patent O M 3,131,704 SHIELTERS Wencel E. Shimon, 1018North Blvd., Gal; Park, Ill. Filed Sept. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 136,681 6Claims. (Cl. 13S-5) The invention relates to improvements in shelters`and is particularly concerned with the novel construction and assemblyof a frame structure `that may be moved from a rst or collapsed positionfor storage into a second or open position for providing la rigidupstanding frame for supporting a llexible covering in a tent-likemanner to afford a wind break for a chair assembly forming a part of theframe structure. v

More specifically, the present invention is concerned with `theprovision of a base structure upon which a novel assembly of -aplurality of relatively movable interconnected -frames are mounted, andwhich is such as to cooperate with said frames to provide a sturdysupporting structure for a flexible covering. The base stnuctureincludes means for securely anchoring the assembly over a hole cut inthe frozen surface of -a body of water when the assembly is being usedas an ice fishing shelter.

The structure also includes a novel, readily collapsible seat assemblyhingedly connected to the frame components and adapted to fold easilyand quickly into collapsed position when the frame assembly is foldedand -to open into a position of use when the frame assembly is set up inshelter providing position.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novel shelter.

Another object is to `provide a novel frame structure for a collapsibleshelter.

Another object is to provide a novel collapsible frame assembly andnovel means for retaining said assembly in a set up condition withoutthe aid of accessory parts.

Another lobject is to provide a collapsible shelter of the characterreferred to which is not expensive to construct, is easy to assemble andwhich involves a collapsible frame assembly that is readily moved from afirst or collapsed position for storage, into a second or extendedposition of use, and is retained in its extended position without theuse of screws, bolts or any fastening devices whatsoever andconsequently, may be set up or collapsed with minimum expended labor andquickly.

Another object is to provide novel means to anchor the shelter over vanopening in a support surface.

With the foregoing and such other objects in View, which will appear asthe description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novelfeatures of construction, arrangement [and combination of partshereinafter `fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings,and particularly pointed y'out in the appended claims, it beingunderstood that various changes in form, proportion, size and minordetails of fthe structure may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference areemployed to identify corresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the shelter, showingit set up for use.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational View of the shelter, as viewed in FIG. 1,but omitting the covering.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to IFIG. 1, but showing the shelter partiallycollapsed.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. l, but showing the shelter in asubstantially fully collapsed condition and omitting the covering forpurposes of clarity.

FIG. 5 is a detail fnagmentary perspective view of the seat structure.

Referring particularly to the exemplary embodiment of the shelter of thepresent invention shown in the yaccompanying drawings, the shelter`comprises a base 111, a

collapsible frame assembly, generally indicated at 12, and,

a covering 13.

The base 11 preferably comprises a substantially rectangular sheet ofstiff material, such as sheet metal, having a substantially centralcut-out 14 in its bottom 1'5 that opens onto the front edge thereof andwhich has upstanding side edge and back end edge flanges 16. The out outarea of said base is provided primarily for alignment with a hole 17that may be cut in the frozen surface 13 of a body of water for purposesof ice fishing.

The base 11 may have mounted thereon an arm 19 journalled on its bottomy15, as by clamps'Zl, land which includes a lever 22 that is manuallyengageable `and operable to raise and lower arm 19 for the purpose ofpulling a clamp bar 2.3 (FIG. l) connected thereto by chain 24, intotight engagement with the under side of surface 18 so as to lock thebase in position.

The base affords mounting means `for the pre-(assembled easily collapsedframe assembly 12, which includes a substantially rectangular closedloop frame 25 comprised of a bottom bar '26, a top bar 27 and a pair ofconnecting side bars 28. The bar 26 is hingedly secured firmly, as byclamps 29, to base 11 and it is adapted to be moved from the collapsedor first position substantially as show-n in FIG. 4, through a positionshown in FIG. 3 land into the set up or second position shown in FIG. l.

Pivotally mounted substantially midway between its ends and between theends of loop frame 25, is a second closed loop frame 31. As illustrated,this loop frame 31 comprises a bottom bar 32, a top bar 33 and a pair ofconnecting side bars 34. The two frames 25 and 31 are pivotallyconnected, as at 35, and the bottom bai-32 of frame 31 is engaged inclips 36 carried by base lll, when the lframe assembly is set up asshown in FIG. 1. The connecting side bars 34 of -said frame 31 areoffset upwardly as viewed in FIG. l, as at 37, so as to locate its topbar 33 inwardly of what might be considered its normal plane were thebends 37 not present. The mounting of Iframe 31 is such that it may beswung about its pivots 35 through the intermediate position shown inFIG. 3 and into the collapsed position shown in FIG. 4, such movementoccurring when the bottom bar 32 is disengaged from clips 36 and thecompanion loop frame 25 is correspondingly moved.

'lhe fname assemblies 25-31 cooperate with each other and with means tobe described presently, to provide support means for a collapsible seat,generally indicated at 318, and to afford novel mea-ns for mounting ashelter over said seat. The shelter comprises a three sided coveredfabric member including side walls 39, la connecting back wall 41 and atop 42. The side 'walls 39 and back wall 41 are each connected at itslower margin to the respective upstanding base flanges 16 by anysuitable fastening means. The closed loop Iframe 31 also mounts asubstantially U-shaped inverted frame 43` having the termi-nal ends 'ofits side bars 44 pivotally connected, las at 45, to side bars 34 offrame 31. When in the eX- tended position shown in FIG. 1, the side bars44 of frame 43 bear against the top bar '33 of frame 31, thus limitingswinging movement of said `frame 43 beyond the substantially verticalposition illustrated.

A similar inverted U-shaped frame 46 has the terminal ends of its sidebars `47 pivotally connected, as at 48, to side bars 28 of frame 25.When in the extended position shown in FIG. 1, the frame 46 is limitedin its movement in a forward Idirection by bearing against top bar 27 ofsaid frame 25.

Both U-shaped frames 43-46 have their respective intermediate bars 49-50connected to the fabric forming the shelter so as to be movabletherewith from the eX- tended or set up position of FIG. l, into thefully col- Patented May 5, 1964v lapsed position shown in FIG. 4. In sodoing, the frames 413-46 move substantially through the representativeintermediate position shown in FIG. 3, in the general direction of thearrows illustrated.

When the frame assembly is fully extended as shown in FIG. 1, the seatstructure 38 functions also as toggle means for locking the loop frames25-31 against unintentional collapse. Referring particularly to FIGS. land 5, the yseat comprises a pair of U-sliaped frames 51-52, eachconnected pivotally as at 53-54 respectively, to the side bars of one offrames ZS-Sl upwardly of their pivot 35. The seat frames :are pivotallyconnected, as at 55, one to the other, and the f-rame 51 has transversewebbing 56 atording a seat surface. When the seat is in its position ofuse, one web of the webbing overlies the side bars of frame 52 toprevent collapse. When the assembly is collapsed, ythe seat frames 5l-52fold relative to each other and each lies substantially in the plane ofits mounting frame or 31.

It should be quite apparent that applicant has provided a structure thatcan be easily and quickly set up and which may be securely anchored inplace and, When set up, will aiford a seat structure that has the addedfunction of locking the assembly against collapse.

As many possible embodiments may be made in the invention, and as manychanges might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to beunderstood that all matters hereinbefore set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

\1. A portable shelter of the character that may be moved from acollapsed position into an extended position of use, said shelterincluding a base, a support frame pivotally connected at one end to saidbase, a second support frame pivotally connected to said tirst namedsupport frame intermediate the ends of said frames and engageable withthe base to retain both support frames in an extended position, afoldable seat structure pivotally connected to both support yframes andadapted to afford rigidity to the support frames when said frames are insaid extended position, a pair of auxiliary frames one connectedpivotally to each support frame and movable from a collapsed positioninto an extended position, and a flexible covering overlying saidauxiliary frames land connected at its lower end to said base saidauxiliary frames operating to maintain the covering in a position ofuse.

2. The shelter recited in claim l, in lwhich means is provided to engagein and secure the assembly in place over an opening in a supportsurface.

3. A portable shelter frame structure including a base and being adaptedto be moved from a collapsed position into an extended position, saidframe structure comprising a support frame pivotally connected at oneend to said base, a second support frame pivotally connected midwaybetween its ends to the medial portion of said first named supportframe, means on the base engageable with said second support fname toretain both support frames in extended position, a foldable seatstructure pivotally connected with both of said support frames to impaitrigidly to the support frames when the frames are in extended position,a pair of Iinverted U-shaped frames pivotally connected one inwardly ofthe upper end of each support frame and movable from a collapsedposition into an extended position, said U-shaped frames having theirbight portions abutting the respective support frames when in extendedposition so as to retain them A. in such positions, Iand a ilexiblecovering overlying all of said frames and connected at its lower end tosaid base, said U-shaped frames operating to maintain the flexiblecovering in a position of use.

4. A portable shelter of the character that may be moved from acollapsed position into an extended position of use, said shelterincluding a base, a supporting frame pivotally connected at one end tosaid base, a second support frame pivotally connected to said rst namedsupport frame and engageable with the base to retain both support framesin an upstanding position of use, each of said frames including spacedside bars and top and bottom bars connecting said side bars, a foldableseat structure connecting the related side bars of said support framesand adapted to aiford rigidity to the support frames when said framesare in said extended position, a pair of auxiliary frames one connectedto each support frame and movable from a collapsed position into anextended position, said auxiliary frames being movable into abutmentwith lthe top bars of the respective support frames when in extendedposition so as to retain them in such position, `and a flexible coveringoverlying Said auxiliary and supporting frames.

5. A collapsible frame structure for a portable shelter, said structurecomprising a base, a lirst support frame pivotally connected at one endto said base, a second support frame pivotally connected to said firstsupport frame midway between their ends, each of said support framesincluding side bars and connecting top and bottom bars, means on thebase engageable by the bottom bar of said second frame to retain bothsupport frames in an upstanding position `of use, a foldable seatstructure pivotally connected to the side bars of both of said supportframes and adapted to impart rigidity to said frames when they are yinupstanding position, a pair of inverted U- shaped auxiliary frames lonepivotally connected to each support frame and movable from a collapsedposition into a position extending beyond the upper ends of theopstanding support frames, and a llexible covering overlying all of saidframes and connected at its lower end to said base.

6. A collapsible shelter comprising, in combination, a base, a firstloop type support frame having parallel side bars and connecting top andbottom bars, means pivotally connecting the bottom bar of said frame tothe base, a second loop type support frame having parallel side barsland connecting top and bottom bars, means pivotally connecting the sidebars of one frame to the side bars of the other frame midway betweentheir ends, means on the base engageable by the bottom bar of the secondframe for retaining the frames in an extended position, a foldable seatstructure pivotally connected to both frames and adapted to impartrigidity to the frames when they are in extended position, a pair ofU-shaped auxiliary frame members each including side bars and aconnecting cross bar, said auxiliary frames having their side barspivotally connected one to the side bars of each of the support framesbelow the top bars thereof and being movable into extended position withthe side bars of the auxiliary frames abutting the top bar of therespective support frame, and a ilexible covering overlying all of saidframes and connected to the base.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS3,027,189 Scott Mar. 27, 1962 3,028,871 Clift Apr. l0, 1962 3,034,523 DeShano May l5, 1962

1. A PORTABLE SHELTER OF THE CHARACTER THAT MAY BE MOVED FROM ACOLLAPSED POSITION INTO AN EXTENDED POSITION OF USE, SAID SHELTERINCLUDING A BASE, A SUPPORT FRAME PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT ONE END TO SAIDBASE, A SECOND SUPPORT FRAME PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST NAMEDSUPPORT FRAME INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF SAID FRAMES AND ENGAGEABLE WITHTHE BASE TO RETAIN BOTH SUPPORT FRAMES IN AN EXTENDED POSITION, AFOLDABLE SEAT STRUCTURE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO BOTH SUPPORT FRAMES ANDADAPTED TO AFFORD RIGIDITY TO THE SUPPORT FRAMES WHEN SAID FRAMES ARE INSAID EXTENDED POSITION, A PAIR OF AUXILIARY FRAMES ONE CONNECTEDPIVOTALLY TO EACH SUPPORT FRAME AND MOVABLE FROM A COLLAPSED POSITIONINTO AN EXTENDED POSITION, AND A FLEXIBLE COVERING OVERLYING SAIDAUXILIARY FRAMES AND CONNECTED AT ITS LOWER END TO SAID BASE SAIDAUXILIARY FRAMES OPERATING TO MAINTAIN THE COVERING IN A POSITION OFUSE.